Sensory Impairment Shropshire

Ludlow and South Shropshire Hearing Club

Notice of change of Shropshire Audiology service for Ludlow repair clinic.

Historically there has been a drop-in service for hearing aid repairs at Ludlow hospital on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. This is now going to change to booked repairs only.

We have had to re-think how we offer our service based on the following findings from a survey carried out June 2009 to, which shows more people coming to repair clinics due to:

• Hearing aids being issued at an earlier age for patients
• Patients are living longer
• Increase in the number of hearing aids fitted so more repairs/moulds needed and retubing
• People are happier with their digital aids, so they are wearing them more
• Serving a wider population ( i.e. patients from Kidderminster with a Shropshire gp)

Statistical analysis shows that in the last 5 years, there has been a 30% increase in hearing aid repairs (Audiology annual report 07-08).  Some comments about repair clinics from patients include:

‘A lot of time is wasted waiting for your turn.’ 

‘Booked repair appointments will make the service more efficient.”

The June ‘09 patient satisfaction survey statistically shows 81% of patients in Ludlow would like to have booked repairs. Booked repairs will help enhance the service we already provide by:

• Patients have appointments therefore less time wasted.
• Adequate appointment time for dealing with repairs and support to patients
• Increased opportunity for Audiology to have sufficient time to discuss issues with hearing aids, communications difficulties, problems hearing the Tv and phone etc.
• Patients and staff less stressed
• Waiting room becomes less busy therefore more patient friendly.

Also South Shropshire remains the district with the highest proportion of 85 and over population, 2.5% in 2004 and a prediction of 5.8% in 2029. It is projected to have a growth of over 75.8% for 65-85 year olds (Shropshire council website- demographic projections: 2004-2029).

Please ONLY promote booked repairs to all patients as from 1st January 2010 there will no longer be a drop in repair clinic available at Ludlow hospital

All queries regarding Audiology repairs please ask patients to
Contact Audiology: Phone    01743 261482
 SMS text only: 07913 798467
 Email   audiology@sath.nhs.net